Man robbed at gunpoint near Palo Alto City Hall

A man in his 40s was robbed at gunpoint near Palo Alto City Hall early Monday morning, according to police.

Police said the victim was walking eastbound on the 200 block of Hamilton Avenue at about 1:15 a.m. when he was approached from behind by a man who demanded his cellphone and wallet.

The victim turned around to see a man holding a semiautomatic handgun, according to police. When he didn't immediately comply with the demand, the robber drew back the slide of the gun, which was pointed at the ground. The victim then handed over his belongings.

The robber ordered the victim to walk away eastbound. He was gone when the victim eventually looked back.

The victim called the city's 24-hour dispatch center from an open business on the 400 block of Emerson Street at about 1:27 a.m. Officers searched the area but did not find the robber.

The victim described the robber as light-skinned, about 30 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 175 pounds with a medium build. He was wearing dark sunglasses, a dark-colored beanie, a dark-colored long-sleeved shirt and dark-colored pants. No vehicle was seen or heard.

The armed robbery is the first to be reported in the city in more than three months, police said.

Menlo Park police, meanwhile, are investigating a similar armed robbery on Gilbert Avenue near Pope Avenue at about 6:40 p.m. Saturday. In that case, a man armed with a pistol and dressed in dark-colored clothing robbed two teenagers of their cellphones and wallets.

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Detectives from both agencies are working together to determine if the same person is responsible for both crimes.

Anyone with information about the Palo Alto armed robbery is asked to call the police department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can text or call 650-383-8984, or email paloalto@tipnow.org.